NBA 2019-20: 5 best defensive teams so far this season

The current NBA is offense oriented. With the three point revolution gripping the entire league, each passing season has seen an increase in the offensive rating.

Teams are putting up All-star scoring numbers in regular season matches. The players are now used to jacking up shots at the start of the shot clock. In this scenario, defense has become a secondary priority for most of the teams as they look to outscore opponents.

However, there are still some teams in the league that try to win matches from their defensive efforts. Possessing elite defensive players in the teams can be very useful in highly contested matches. Rudy Gobert has made a name for himself on the defensive end and has been adjudged as the Defensive Player of the Year on the past two occasions. On his back, Utah Jazz have always remained an effective defensive team.

Here are five of the best defensive teams in the league this season.

#5 Denver Nuggets

With a defensive rating of 102.4, the Denver Nuggets are the fifth best defensive team in the league this season. The Nuggets were the second ranked team in the Western Conference last season. They have again started off brightly this season. They have a 8-3 record and are the third ranked team till now.

The Nuggets are a consistent team on both the ends. They play with a pretty slow pace of 97.7 and control the game against their opponents. The Nuggets are great in contesting shots against their opponents. They allow only 48.4% of effective field goals.

The Nuggets are going to be right at the top of the standings throughout the season. They rely on their great defending to win tight contests.

#4 Orlando Magic

The Orlando Magic have surprisingly been a great defensive team this season. They have a defensive rating of 101.4 and are the fourth ranked defense in the league.

The Magic play at the slowest pace in the league. They play at a pace of just 97.4. The Magic have a 5-7 record this season and are the ninth ranked team in the Eastern Conference.

Despite being great on the defensive end, the Magic haven't been able to win games because they have been really poor offensively. They need to balance out on both ends and try to reach the playoffs.

#3 Miami Heat

The Miami Heat made a big move in the off season by acquiring defensive stalwart, Jimmy Butler. The Heat have started off this season brilliantly. They have been one of the pleasant surprises of the season. The Heat with a defensive rating of 101.1 are the third ranked defense in the league.

The Heat are the second ranked team in the Eastern Conference with a 9-3 record.No one expected the Heat to be this great, but they have been surprising everyone.

The Heat will be looking to continue their momentum and finish as one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference.

#2 Utah Jazz

The Utah Jazz have been a great defensive team for a number of years now. Rudy Gobert has been protecting the rim for them and has been adjudged the Defensive Player of the year on the past two occasions.

The Jazz also added Mike Conley and that has made their perimeter defending also strong. The Jazz have a defensive rating of 100.

The Jazz made some great acquisitions in the off season and are one of the underdogs this season. They are the fourth ranked team in the Western Conference and have a 8-4 record.

#1 Los Angeles Lakers

Golden State Warriors v Los Angeles Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers have been one of the worst defensive teams in the league over the past five years. The additions of some great defensive players like Anthony Davis, Dwight Howard, Danny Green and Avery Bradley among others and a great defensive coach in Frank Vogel has totally changed the structure of the team.

The Lakers are the only team in the league with a defensive rating of less than 100. They have the best defensive rating of 98.9.

The Lakers are the best team in the Western Conference with a 10-2 record. They look like the favorite to win the championship this season.